Crossing the famine to find the white moonlight

Chapter 272 Gentle Guardian

Nothing could be more tranquil than a campsite at dusk. The golden afterglow cast a shadow across the plains, illuminating the long-built wooden houses and newly cultivated farmland. The air was filled with the fragrance of earth and grass. Everything seemed so peaceful, as if time had slowed down in this new home, allowing everyone to quietly savor this hard-earned tranquility.

Ye Wan stood by the kitchen, a small spatula in hand, cutting the ingredients for the wok. Her movements were a bit hurried; the workload was particularly heavy today, and almost everyone was busy with their own tasks. However, despite the collaborative effort, she was still used to shouldering most of the burden herself—after all, once you get used to doing something, it becomes a reflex.

"Be careful, the blade is so sharp." Suddenly, Xie Linchuan appeared behind her, his voice low and full of concern.

Ye Wan was startled and turned back suddenly, but she almost cut herself with the knife in her hand. She smiled awkwardly: "Why did you suddenly appear and scare me?"

"You seem to be busy like a top and don't pay attention to your safety, so I came to check on you." Xie Linchuan's tone was relaxed, but there was a hint of hidden worry in his eyes. His gaze was always on Ye Wan's hand, as if he was worried that she would hurt herself.

"I'm fine, aren't I?" Ye Wan curled her lips and replied casually, but her heart felt warm. She knew that Xie Linchuan didn't just come to visit; his presence was more of a silent protection. Whenever she was busy, she could always see him standing quietly by her side, silently sharing her burden and preventing her from feeling too exhausted.

Xie Linchuan noticed Ye Wan's expression and smiled gently: "Are you okay? If you are tired, take a rest. I can help you with the work."

Ye Wan pretended to be calm and raised the corner of her mouth: "What can you do to help me? Kitchen work is not that simple." She knew that Xie Linchuan had not done any housework in the wild. After all, he was more focused on commanding and leading, especially in building fortifications and leading team training, but the trivial matters in the kitchen might make him not know where to start.

"I'm not particularly good at anything. At most, I can make a stew and help you." Xie Linchuan frowned, looking somewhat helpless. "But at least, I can accompany you and do what I can for you."

"Hmm, stewing meat? Don't be ridiculous." Ye Wan chuckled. "Who asked you to cook? You should just focus on moving those building materials over. I'll take care of the kitchen."

Xie Linchuan looked at her, about to say something, but noticed a hint of fatigue on Ye Wan's face. He knew she was indeed very tired today, but she always seemed fearless, accustomed to shouldering all responsibilities alone. This independent attitude distressed him, and it also made him quietly resolve that no matter what, he would be by her side, silently protecting her.

He stood there quietly and said softly, "Ye Wan, don't push yourself. In fact, everyone can share some of the burden. You don't have to always take everything on yourself."

"I know." Ye Wan nodded gently, but didn't say anything. She just lowered her head and continued to work. She knew Xie Linchuan's feelings in her heart. He never said it clearly, but he always appeared by her side when she needed him most, like a solid backing.

However, her heart was somewhat complicated. She had become accustomed to her independence and strength, and even when faced with Xie Linchuan's tenderness, she always subconsciously kept her distance. She didn't want to appear too dependent on him emotionally. After all, she still had to deal with the various difficulties in life alone. However, with Xie Linchuan's care and protection again and again, her heart began to quietly change.

"Are you...really willing to help me?" Ye Wan finally couldn't help but ask this question, her voice so low that it barely had the strength to penetrate the air.

Xie Linchuan didn't answer immediately, but reached out and patted her shoulder, his tone of comforting her with a bit of ease: "If you don't mind, I can help with something else."

Ye Wan's heart stirred, and she turned to look at him. The moonlight cast a shadow on his face, outlining his resolute features. She suddenly realized that this man had never backed down from her. Whether facing challenges or his own inner exhaustion, he always stood behind her, quietly providing her with warmth and support.

"Okay, thank you for your help then." She finally suppressed her inner stubbornness, smiled and nodded, with a hint of soft gratitude in her voice.

Xie Linchuan smiled gently, his eyes revealing a sense of peace and tenderness. He walked over to her and silently helped her clean up the ingredients on the table. Although he was not good at cooking, it was obvious that he was just expressing his silent care in his own way.

In this scene, it was as if time had slowed down, and everything around her became quiet and warm. Ye Wan suddenly felt that she was not fighting alone. With Xie Linchuan's company and protection, she no longer felt lonely.

However, just as Ye Wan let her guard down, she heard a sudden commotion in the distance. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly stood up. "What happened?" She was used to being constantly alert to possible threats.

"It's okay, maybe the wind blew the branches." Xie Linchuan said soothingly, "But still, be careful."

Ye Wan nodded. Although she appeared calm on the surface, she was still wary. She knew that this land would never allow people to truly let down their guard. She turned to look at Xie Linchuan, a hint of determination in her eyes: "I'll go check it out."

"I'll accompany you." Xie Linchuan said decisively, with a firm determination flashing in his eyes.

Ye Wan hesitated for a moment and frowned slightly: "I know what you want to do, but you need to rest. You are also very tired today."

"You want me to rest?" Xie Linchuan chuckled. "That won't work. You won't let me accompany you. Don't you always say that it's tiring to carry it all by yourself? How can I let you continue to carry it all by yourself?"

Ye Wan listened to his words, and a warm feeling rose in her heart. She looked at Xie Linchuan's determined eyes and finally did not refuse him again. She nodded: "Okay, then we will go together."

The two walked side by side towards the outskirts of the camp, with the home they had worked so hard to build behind them. No matter how difficult the future might be, she knew that on this land, there would always be a pair of warm hands silently protecting her.

The wind blew across the plains, and the leaves rustled, as if nature was cheering them on. And Ye Wan knew that she was no longer alone. Xie Linchuan's gentle protection was like a beacon, guiding her forward in the darkness.

She gently turned her head to look at him, her heart filled with endless gratitude and tenderness, her inner emotions quietly warming. In this home they had built together, she finally learned to rely on him and to accept this gentle protection.

This home is not just a pile of buildings, but also a gathering of warmth and protection.